Custom travel to Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the world's most iconic safari destinations, an East African country of 945,000 km² for 65 million inhabitants. 33% of its territory is protected, one of the world's highest rates, with 4 million wild animals. Serengeti (UNESCO) is the theater of the Great Migration: 1.7 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras loop 1,800 km each year, one of the wild world's greatest spectacles. Ngorongoro Crater (UNESCO), the world's largest intact crater, holds 25,000 large mammals living there, including the Big Five. Tarangire, a paradise of elephants and thousand-year-old baobabs. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, Africa's highest peak). Zanzibar (UNESCO for Stone Town), white sand beaches and Swahili-Arab heritage. A perfect safari and beach combination in 12-14 days.

Highlights

• Serengeti and Great Migration (UNESCO)
• Ngorongoro Crater (UNESCO)
• Tarangire (elephants and baobabs)
• Zanzibar (UNESCO Stone Town, beaches)
• Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, roof of Africa)
• Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffalo

Sample itineraries

When to go

June-October is the best period (dry season, wildlife concentrated at water points, Mara crossings August-October). January-March: wildebeest births in South Serengeti (spectacular alternative). Avoid April-May (long rains, some lodges closed) and November (short rains).

• Dry season (June – October), Great Migration in the North, Mara crossings August-October
• Births (January – March), 500,000 wildebeest births in South Serengeti
• Long rains (April – May), To avoid for safaris (difficult roads)
• Short rains (November – December), Migration in the South, green landscapes

Practical information

Safe in safari zones and Zanzibar (vigilance in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town pickpockets). E-visa or visa on arrival ($50, 90 days, at eservices.immigration.go.tz). Mandatory yellow fever vaccine if arriving from endemic country. Antimalarial recommended. Avoid tap water. Cards accepted in premium lodges and Zanzibar, cash (USD or shillings) elsewhere. Appropriate attire for Maasai (covering). Ranger tipping $10-$20/day (essential for their income).

Frequently asked questions

When?

June to October is the best period: dry season, wildlife concentrated around water points, ideal temperatures of 20-28 °C, and the spectacular Mara River crossings happen precisely between August and October. January to March offers an equally spectacular alternative: 500,000 wildebeest births on the South Serengeti plains (Ndutu), with warmer weather (25-32 °C). June-July is the Grumeti corridor, with river crossings and Nile crocodiles. Avoid April-May (long rains, difficult tracks, some lodges close) and, to a lesser extent, November (sporadic short rains).

How long?

Allow 12 days for the full Northern Circuit: Arusha (1 night), Tarangire (2 nights, elephants and baobabs), Ngorongoro (2 nights, guaranteed Big Five), Serengeti (3 nights, Great Migration), then a flight to Zanzibar (3 nights, Stone Town and beaches). 14 days let you extend Zanzibar to 4 nights or add Lake Manyara. For a trip focused solely on the migration, 10 days is enough. A minimum of 3 nights in Serengeti and 4 in Zanzibar is recommended to avoid rushing between stops.

Budget?

Comfort: from €5,500/person for 12 days, excluding international flights, with 11 nights in 4★ lodges (Serena, Sopa) at Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire, plus the Park Hyatt in Zanzibar. Premium: from €9,500 for Four Seasons Serengeti, andBeyond Crater Lodge, or The Residence Zanzibar. Exclusive: from €18,000 over 12-14 days for Singita Sasakwa, Singita Mara River, and Mnemba Island, hot air balloon and private dinners included. Add €1,000-€1,500 per person for the Paris-Kilimanjaro/Dar round-trip flight with stopover.

Visa?

E-visa (recommended, apply online at eservices.immigration.go.tz) or visa on arrival, $50, valid 90 days, for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory only if arriving from an endemic country (otherwise simply recommended). An antimalarial treatment is advised for the whole stay, including Zanzibar. Passport valid at least 6 months beyond return.

Family?

Yes, from age 8-10: young ones generally love safaris, and several lodges (Singita, andBeyond, Four Seasons Serengeti) offer connecting suites and dedicated activities (junior tracking, Maasai workshops). The long drives and domestic flights (small propeller planes) require some stamina, better suited to slightly older children. Zanzibar, at the end of the trip, offers ideal downtime after the safari days.

How to get around?

Domestic flights are essential (Coastal Air, Air Tanzania): Arusha-Serengeti 1 h, Serengeti-Zanzibar 2 h, Arusha-Zanzibar 1 h 30, aboard small propeller planes landing on dirt airstrips. Within the parks, a safari 4×4 with an English-speaking ranger (sometimes French-speaking on request) takes you from lodge to lodge. Roads are paved between Arusha and the park entrances, then become tracks. Renting a car is not recommended for safaris.

See Big Five: possible?

Guaranteed at Ngorongoro Crater in 1 day (lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants, buffalo). In Serengeti: possible but less certain.

Tanzania or Kenya for Migration?

Tanzania (Serengeti) houses the migration 9-10 months/year. Kenya (Masai Mara) only August-October. Prefer Tanzania for complete stay.

Combine?

Yes: Tanzania + Kenya (Masai Mara), Tanzania + Rwanda (gorillas), Tanzania + Madagascar.

Tips?

Essential for rangers ($10-$20/day) and lodge staff. Important income source.

Do I need to speak English in Tanzania?

Swahili and English are the two official languages, so English is widely understood in the tourism sector: rangers, lodge staff, and guides speak it fluently. French-speaking rangers exist but remain rare, to be requested in advance. A few Swahili words (jambo = hello, asante = thank you, karibu = welcome) are always appreciated, particularly during Maasai or Hadza village visits.

How long should I spend in Zanzibar after the safari?

Allow 3 to 4 nights to enjoy both Stone Town (UNESCO, half a day with a guide is enough) and the beaches: north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) for nightlife, east coast (Paje, Jambiani) for kitesurfing and calm. For a more exclusive stay, Mnemba Island deserves 3-4 nights on its own. The Serengeti-Zanzibar flight takes about 2 hours, allowing a smooth transition without excessive fatigue after the safari.